A senior Indian cabinet minister has resigned accusing hardline Hindu groups of trying to destabilise the government led by the moderate Hindu nationalist, Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The Minister for Tourism and Parliamentary Affairs, Madan Lal Khurana said that although these groups were allied to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party they were taking action to defame it.

As an example of this, he cited recent attacks on Christians by hardline Hindus.

Mr Khurana was directing his criticism at groups like the World Hindu Congress, which denies attacking Christians.Mr Khurana's resignation came as Mr Vajpayee addressed the nation, condemning the attacks and calling for tolerance.